GAME 1 - Mines 4, Adams State 3
Kara Jones' walk-off double capped a big game by the junior as Mines took the series opener in an entertaining 4-3 decision.

The Orediggers gave up a two-run lead in the top of the seventh only to go back ahead in their final at-bat. Jones went 2-for-3, collecting her 100th career hit in her first at-bat, while Mines pounced on Adams State errors to build an early lead.

Mines went ahead in the first as an error let Brielle Asato score after her lead-off single, and Clara Larson scored on another error as Kelsey Buechler stole second later in the inning. Adams State got a run back in the fourth when Sarah Hansen reached on a Mines error allowing Rachel Mobley to plate, but Mines got what would prove to be an important run in the sixth when Kylie Redding slipped a pinch-hit single through the left side of the infield to score Katie Leiker and make it 3-1.

The Grizzlies were down to their final out in the seventh but Hannah Wirtjes tucked a singled down the right-field line to tie the game, 3-3, and force Mines to score or head to extras. The Orediggers had a clinical final at-bat as Sonoma Toot laid down a lead-off bunt single, Larson sacrified her over, and Jones ripped her double to the fence in right center to win it.

Claire Stringfellow took no decision from a quality start, allowing no earned runs with two strikeouts as she left with the lead after the sixth. Sydney Marchando (1-1) came in looking for the save in the seventh but ended up with her first career win despite allowing the two runs. Kacee Schroefer (4-6) struck out four with two earned allowed for ASU.

GAME 2 - Adams State 7, Mines 6
Adams State survived another Mines rally in the seventh inning to hang on and win the late game 7-6.

It was a back-and-forth game as the two teams combined for 17 hits and six errors. Clara Larson and Kara Jones had 3-for-4 games as Jones drove in three runs and Larson had two RBI with three runs scored, including her 10th home run of the season.

Tyler Hays' solo home run in the top of the first gave the visitors the early lead but Larson smashed her answer to deep center field in the bottom half to give Mines a 2-1 lead.

A long fourth inning put ASU back ahead as Stephanie Huff singled in Rachel Mobley and Angel Micciulli drew a bases-loaded walk, leading to Mines inserting Maddie Rogers for starter Hallie Smith. Rogers got out of trouble with the bases loaded, but the Grizzlies padded their lead in the fifth thanks to April Riggins' sacrifice fly to go up 4-2.

Mines rallied to tie it up in the bottom of the fifth, though, as Jones singled in Sonoma Toot with two outs and Larson scored on a throwing error after Hana Mawlawi was caught in a rundown trying to steal second. Adams State got a huge two-out, three-run home run from pitcher Brittany Phillips in the sixth, however, to take the lead 7-4. 

The Orediggers tried to rally in the seventh and it was again Kara Jones who came to the rescue. After a lead-off walk by Asato and Larson's single, Jones doubled in both baserunners to force a pitching change by the Grizzlies with their lead cut to 7-6. Madisen Vrabel induced two straight outs, however, with the tying run on second to earn the save.

Phillips (2-3) got the win allowing five earned with two strikeouts over 6.1 innings. Smith had no decision in 3.1 innings of work, allowing three earned, while none of Rogers' (3-4) four runs allowed were earned as she took the loss.

NEXT UP
Mines and Adams State will finish their series Saturday at 11 a.m.